BANGKOK –The Shell Company of Thailand Limited today joined with the Ministry of Energy to officially recognize the teams of Thai students competing in the fourth Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila in February 2014. Thai students have won the competition each year the event has run in Asia.

Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014 will see 11different teams of Thai students, coming from 9 educational institutions, square off against their regional peers to design and build energy-efficient vehicles and promote the development of new technologies. There will be over 140 teams from 16 different countries across Asia and The Middle East.

“Our Ministry realises that the future of Thailand’s energy self-reliance lies with the next generation, and we fully support Shell Eco-marathon in promoting innovation in energy efficiency”, said Police Lieutenant General Dr.WichianchotSukchotrat, Vice Minister for Energy, Ministry of Energy. “We are especially proud of the winning record of our nation’s students, who come from schools throughout Thailand, and wish them all the best as they pursue victory in Manila.”

Shell Eco-marathon is a global mileage challenge and educational platform. It launched in Asia in 2010 to encourage innovation in the development of energy-efficient technologies. After three years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the event will occur in Manila, Philippines. This is the first time Shell Eco-marathon Asia will take place on real city streets, showcasing the futuristic vehicles in a more realistic urban environment.

“Shell Eco-marathon aligns with our shift toward cleaner, more energy-efficient products and technologies, and The Shell Company of Thailand Limited is proud of our role in fostering a new generation of energy consciousness”,said Mr.AsadaHarinsuit, Country Chairman, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited. “Thai students have shown remarkable expertise and creativity in demonstrating what’s possible, and this gives us great optimism as we tackle the many global energy challenges facing us today.”

The most recent Grand Prize Winner was the team from Dhurakij Pundit University, in a competition which saw 133 teams from 16 countries across Asia and the Middle East registered in two different design classes: Prototype, to build the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicle possible; and UrbanConcept, to build fuel economy into vehicles that most resemble today’s automobiles. Students manage all aspects of their projects, with winners in both classes receiving $2,000 each for their school.

Thai actor Alexander Rendell, a participant in today’s panel discussion alongside representatives from Shell and the Ministry, is lending his support to Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014 to further raise energy awareness among youth audiences.He will take part in the Shell FuelSave Celebrity Driving Challenge on 21st and 22nd January next year, navigating a predetermined route from Bangkok to Angthong with the goal of using as little Shell FuelSave fuel as possible. Along the route, student teams in Shell Eco-marathon Asia,and Rendell will exchange driving tips to help them improve their fuel efficiency.

Past Winners and Records

Year

Award

Team

Institution

Distance travelled (using energy equivalent of 1-litre fuel)

2010

Grand Prize Award

ATE.1

Kong Thabbok Upatham Changkol Kho So Tho Bo School

1,521.0 kilometres

2011

Grand Prize Award

LUK JAO MAE KHLONG PRAPA

Dhurakij Pundit University

2,213.4 kilometres

2012

Grand Prize Award

LUK JAO MAE KHLONG PRAPA

Dhurakij Pundit University

2,903.0 kilometres

The following teams from Thailand have registered for the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014:

Team Name

School Name

Vehicle Category

Energy Source

Ayutthaya ATCC1

AyutthayaTechnology Commercial College

Prototype

Battery Electric

HOW MUCH ETHANOL

Panjavidhya Technological College

Prototype

Ethanol

HOW MUCH BATTERY

Panjavidhya Technological College

Prototype

Battery Electric

Innogen KMITL V1

King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

Prototype

Hydrogen

Innogen KMITL V2

King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

Prototype

Battery Electric

Donmuang Technical college

Donmuang Technical College

Prototype

Battery Electric

LukJao Mae KhlongPrapa

Dhurakij Pubdit University

Prototype

Ethanol

Virgin

SakonnakhonTechnical College

Prototype

Gasoline

NSTRU Eco-Racing

Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University

Prototype

Battery Electric

ATE.1

Kong Thabbok Upatham Changkol Kho So Tho Bo School

Prototype

Gasoline

Ratanakosin Technological college

Rattanakosin Technological College

Prototype

Battery Electric

For more information on all Shell Eco-marathon events across the globe, including official rules, instructions for registration and details on prizes, please visit the Shell Eco-marathon website at www.shell.com/ecomarathon.

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon recognises creators who could get the longest distance per litre from the vehicles they build. Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born in 1985 in Europe. In 2007, Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States. In Asia, the fourth Shell Eco-marathon Asia will take place in Manila on 6 – 9 February, 2014.

Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2013 is held in two divisions. While Prototype Category is centred on vehicle engineering fundamentals to achieve the best possible energy efficiency, Urban Concept priorities realistic design of energy-efficient vehicles that will be practical on today’s roads. In both divisions, contestants can choose to power their vehicle with any currently available energy, including diesel fuel and gasoline or alternative energies such as hydrogen, ethanol, fuel cell or electricity.